Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This industry is worth fighting for. There is no question about the quality and seamless service customers in the United Kingdom are getting. That is one of the messages the Minister and the CEO of Bord Bia will be impressing on retailers.

I will address a point that is not directly related to my Department. We have engaged with major players in the industry who have asked that we set up a new Lean programme to improve harvesting techniques. According to my note, a pilot programme on Lean processes that is being implemented by Bord Bia with financial assistance from Enterprise Ireland is commencing with mushroom growers to assess the level of efficiency across all aspects of the business, including the supply chain, innovation, marketing and logistics. While it crosses over from the Department into the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, it is an important add-on to other efforts that are meant to assist the industry.